Press Release

KellerOnline® and OH&S Magazine 2011 SPOTY Award Winners Announced

NEENAH, WI –KellerOnline® and OH&S Magazine recently named Frank McDaniel, Director of Safety for Helix Electric in San Diego, California, as the 2011 Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY).

McDaniel’s comprehensive approach to safety involves all members of the organization, from senior management to front-line crew members. His integrated safety program includes an intensive supervisor orientation process, hourly employee-level work area reviews, and the development of a safety manual written specifically for Helix supervisors.

In addition to careful monitoring of incident data and statistics, McDaniel has implemented a set of behavioral-based safety processes that are part of all site safety audits. To encourage hazard identification and efficiency on the job site, McDaniel awards “bonus” points to superintendents who offer site-specific processes that would improve that particular project. To maintain complete company involvement, he shares the audit scores with senior management on a monthly basis.

His commitment to linking safety, quality, and productivity together is reflected in a significant improvement in Helix’s safety statistics. Since 2005, Helix’s total OSHA-recordable injury rate has dropped approximately 80 percent, and its lost-time rate has seen a 90 percent reduction.

McDaniel’s prize package is among the largest in the industry, and includes a $2,500 cash award, a plaque, certificate, 10 free, one year subscriptions to KellerOnline for himself and others in his organization, and $1,200 in online training.

Tuskahoma Thompson, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environmental) Director of the Fluor Corporation, earned a second-place SPOTY award. Thompson is currently based in Afghanistan, leading a team of over 190 health and safety professionals at 70 locations for Fluor’s Logistical Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP IV) contract. Despite the warzone conditions and harsh Afghan landscape, Thompson remained focused on his objective of leadership, change of mindset, and training. His efforts paid off in 2011, when the LOGCAP IV project achieved an impressive .19 Total Recordable Incident Rate.

Thompson will receive a $500 cash award, a plaque, certificate, and a one-year subscription to KellerOnline.

Laina VanBuskirk, Safety Director for Golden Hawk Transportation in Crestline, Ohio, was awarded third place. VanBuskirk demonstrated a true dedication to safety while working through a struggling economy in 2011. Despite challenging budget constraints and a fluctuating workforce, VanBuskirk continued to focus on the company’s safety initiatives, and remained available to drivers 24/7.

VanBuskirk will also receive a plaque, certificate, and one-year subscription to KellerOnline, along with a $50 cash award.

“The finalists have delivered impressive results and appear to be innovative, intelligent leaders who are passionate about safety and imbue their staffs and their company's personnel with that same spirit of never being satisfied with even excellent performance. All are worthy of the award,” stated Jerry Laws, Editor of OH&SMagazine.

“KellerOnline is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the SPOTY award, and we are continually impressed by the talented group of safety professionals who apply,” said Rustin Keller, Vice President of Business Services for J. J. Keller & Associates. “This year’s winners may be working in very different environments, but they all demonstrated a singular focus on employee safety. KellerOnline and OH&S Magazine are once again proud to recognize such a dedicated group of safety professionals.”

About KellerOnline®

KellerOnline® (KOL) is the most widely used safety management tool on the web. More than 19,000 safety professionals rely on KOL to manage their safety programs. KOL integrates a safety management process with reference materials, tools, and applications in order to help users reduce accident rates, decrease injuries, and lower workers' compensation costs. To learn more about KellerOnline®, visit www.koldemo.com or www.kelleronline.com.

About Occupational Health & Safety

Now in its 81st year of continuous publication, Occupational Health & Safety magazine is a leading resource helping safety and health managers, industrial hygienists, emergency responders, ergonomists, human resources managers, and professionals in related fields eliminate hazardous exposures for their workers, utilize best practices, and stay in compliance with an array of ever-changing standards and regulations. For more information, visit www.ohsonline.com.

About J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. was established in 1953 and has become the nation’s leader in risk and regulatory management solutions. The company employs over 1,100 associates and serves over 350,000 customers including more than 90% of the Fortune 500. J. J. Keller’s diverse products and services include publications, forms, training, supplies, software, consulting, online management tools, outsourced services, and mobile technology. For more information, visit www.jjkeller.com.